European competitions returned this week, with David Silva's spectacular strike at Chelsea giving Valencia an important away goal for the second leg. Spanish sides are doing better in the UEFA Cup this year though, with eight goals between the three of them in the first leg of the quarter finals. Tamudo and Pandiani got two of Espanyol's three against Benfica, and Kanouté was on target from the penalty spot against his old club Spurs as the Andalusians came from behind to win. The best result though was for Osasuna, who got three without reply at Bayer Leverkusen.

Back to reality in the league at the weekend, and the total of 17 was the lowest in a month, and less than half of last weekend's record tally of 35. Diego Milito got an important goal against Barcelona to take his side up into the Champions League spots, as well as taking his personal goal count level with Kanouté's at the top of the league Pichichi chart. And Raúl also got his name on the scoresheet as Real Madrid closed to within two points of the leaders. Six of the goals though came in the match between Recreativo and Celta, Nené's two for the visitors not enough to prevent a 4-2 defeat which took the Galicians back down into the bottom three. (09.04.07)